After a five-year hiatus, the once-beloved Shelly’s Café in Teaneck is officially back, now relaunched as Shelly’s 2.0. The soft opening begins this week, offering a limited-time all-you-can-eat buffet during the Nine Days, and features a bold Mediterranean-inspired kosher dairy menu with a fresh interior and updated branding.

Located once again on Cedar Lane, Shelly’s 2.0 is under the same ownership as Noah’s Ark, the nearby Glatt Kosher deli that continues to serve Teaneck residents and travelers alike.

A Five-Year Gap Since Closure

Shelly’s Café originally closed in 2019, ending a multi-decade run as a staple kosher dairy restaurant in Bergen County. Known for casual family-friendly dining with pizza, pastas, salads, and a popular brunch, the closure left a notable gap in the local kosher dining scene.

Over the years, community speculation swirled around whether Shelly’s would ever return, especially with the ongoing success of Noah’s Ark just across the street. The relaunch of Shelly’s, reimagined and modernized as Shelly’s 2.0, signals the family’s renewed investment in bringing back the neighborhood’s cherished dairy eatery.

Shelly’s 2.0: A Modern Dairy & Vegetarian Experience

The updated Shelly’s 2.0 focuses on elevated dairy and vegetarian cuisine. Mediterranean flavors now take center stage, with dishes that go well beyond traditional pizza-and-pasta offerings. For the Nine Days soft opening, guests can expect an upscale buffet format with a daily rotating menu designed to showcase refined kosher fish and plant-based creations.

The limited-time buffet will run from Sunday, July 27 through Thursday, July 31, with the following schedule and pricing:

  • Sunday Brunch (July 27 only): 10:00am–3:00pm, $29.95 per person
  • Dinner Buffet (all days): 4:00pm–10:00pm, $39.95 per person
    (Prices exclude tax and service charge)

Highlights from the soft-opening menu include:

  • Miso-glazed black cod with charred bok choy, quinoa, and warm oregano vinaigrette
  • White truffle paccheri with braised salmon, shallots, and sage crumble
  • Shawarma-cured tuna over creamy Jersey corn polenta
  • Rotating pizza and pasta bar, risotto balls, seasonal salads, and more

The menu reflects a clear shift toward chef-driven comfort food with global influence, setting a new tone for the restaurant’s future full-service operations.

Cuisine at Shelly’s 2.0

The new Shelly’s 2.0 captures the familiar Mediterranean dairy essence that longtime fans will recognize, but with a refined and modern approach to kosher dining. During the soft opening buffet, diners enjoyed a fresh pasta bar featuring creamy penne alla vodka and a vibrant pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and asparagus. The pizza bar offered a range of options including classic Margherita, a truffle pesto slice topped with fresh mozzarella, and a nostalgic original-style pie.

A selection of four chef-crafted fish entrées, a flavorful tofu dish, and an elevated sandwich station rounded out the mains, alongside crispy fried cauliflower and four colorful seasonal salads. Earlier in the day, a build-your-own avocado toast bar catered to guests seeking lighter, health-focused options. These curated offerings reflect Shelly’s signature Mediterranean comfort foods, now reimagined with upscale ingredients and a polished buffet-style presentation.

A Gradual Relaunch Strategy

Following the buffet’s conclusion on July 31, Shelly’s 2.0 will begin accepting private event reservations starting August 11. Full service—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—will roll out shortly thereafter. This staggered reopening approach allows the team to fine-tune operations while reintroducing Shelly’s to a new generation of diners.

“We’re thrilled to reintroduce Shelly’s in a way that honors our past while embracing the creativity and vibrancy of what’s ahead,” said the team behind Shelly’s 2.0.

The revamped restaurant is designed not just as a throwback to its earlier identity, but as a forward-thinking space that blends nostalgia with modern kosher dining trends.

Location, Supervision & Hours

Shelly’s 2.0 is located at 483 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666, one door away from Noah’s Ark Deli. The restaurant is under the kosher supervision of the Star-K. The soft opening runs from Sunday, July 27 through Thursday, July 31, with Sunday brunch offered only on opening day.

Reservations for private events will begin on August 11, and full-service dining will follow later in the summer.